43 Dinner Ideas

Coming up with last minute dinner ideas is the bane of my existence.  As much as I try to make a menu plan and stick to it, we’re just not that type of family, we usually sit around and talk about what we are going to make or what sounds good and then eat way later than we should.  One thing I have found that works for us is to keep a list of our favorites.  On any given night when “nothing sounds good!” I can take a peek at the list and come up with something quickly and easily.   Some of these are simple like hamburgers on the grill and some like dough for homemade pizzas, take a bit more planning, but all are ideas that my family loves.   For favorites that I’ve featured here at So Wonderful, So Marvelous or specific recipes I’ve found on the web I’ve included a link, but most are self explanatory and EASY to throw together without a recipe. 

I’d LOVE to add some more ideas to our list.  What are some of your family’s favorites?

1. spaghetti, salad, & garlic bread
2. homemade pizzas or calzones {great if everyone wants their own toppings}
3. hamburgers on the grill with thai pasta salad & sweet corn
4. smoked sausage, pierogies, sauteed red cabbage, & mashed potatoes
5. beef stew
6. grilled cheese & tomato soup
7. spinach salad with warm bacon dressing
8. chili
9. crockpot potato soup
10. swedish meatballs with fries & lingonberry {pick up all the supplies to make this quickie at Ikea}
11. quiche & green salad
12. tacos & guacamole
13. turkey breast & “fakesgiving” {aka a mini Thanksgiving dinner}
14. enchilada casserole
15. roast made in the crockpot, corn, & mashed potatoes
16. barbequed grilled chicken, sweet corn, & green salad
17. breakfast for dinner {eggs, sausage, hashbrowns, & orange juice}
18. cobb salads
19. chicken in white wine sauce & roasted carrots {this can also be made into bite size pieces, add sauteed mushrooms & served over noodles}
20. BLT sandwiches
21. braised short ribs & horseradish mashed potatoes
22. veggie stir fry, rice, & takeout egg rolls {you could also use frozen}
23. caribbean black beans & rice
24. chicken pot pie
25. pork tenderloin with apricot mustard with baby red potatoes & asparagus
26. cheese tortellini with red grapes & walnut pesto cream sauce
27. meatloaf {or better yet meatloaf cupcakes}
28. chicken gyros, orzo salad, & tzatziki
29. french dip sandwiches {there are TONS of recipes to be had} with oven fries
30. coq au vin blanc {we make ours loosely based on this minus the bacon & fennel}
31. pulled pork sandwiches, coleslaw, & potato chips
32. buffalo chicken pizza
33. croque-monsieur {ham & cheese on bread dunked in egg & grilled like french toast}… add a fried egg to the top & it’s a croque-madame
34. shish kabob & couscous
35. grilled teriyaki chicken with rice, steamed broccoli & carrots
36. sloppy joes
37. grilled bratwurst {microwave in a beer bath for about 5 minutes before} with chips & spicy mustard
38. grilled pork chops & apple sauce
39. loaded baked potatoes, steamed veggies and green salad
40. asian chicken salads
41. grilled veggie pasta
42. rice noodles with thai peanut sauce, zucchini, & sauteed onions {we use Jade peanut sauce}
43. grilled turkey sliders with cheddar, avacado, & bacon, serve with picnic sides